“OSHA’s efforts reducing workplace injuries and illnesses have included cooperative efforts such as voluntary protection programs that help companies generally experience 50 percent fewer lost workday injuries, and they have injury and illness rates that are 53 percent below their industry’s average and reduced workers’ compensation costs,” Stohler said.

From 2003 to 2007, the total number of injuries and illnesses with days away from work declined 11.9 percent, which demonstrates that a comprehensive strategy of targeted enforcement coupled with an emphasis on prevention through compliance assistance is most effective. In addition, the ergonomic injury rate declined 9 percent from 2006 to 2007.